Owaisi offers alliance with Akhilesh Yadav ahead of 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections

During a rally in Moradabad, the Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP said he was ready to "join hands" or "form alliance" with Samajwadi Party, which would be cautious with the offer as both parties reach out to same voter base in the 403-seat assembly. Brushing off the BJP's "B-team" tag, Owaisi said he doesn't want BJP to continue in power for the third straight term in the state given that Samajwadi Party ties up with AIMIM to avoid the split of votes.

New Delhi: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has publicly offered to forge an alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, urging party chief Akhilesh Yadav to begin discussions now instead of waiting until after the polls.Addressing a gathering in Moradabad, Owaisi said the AIMIM was prepared to work alongside the Samajwadi Party to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from returning to power in the politically crucial state.'Today Is The Time To Talk'Making a direct appeal to Akhilesh Yadav, Owaisi said delaying alliance discussions could prove costly."The Majlis does not want the BJP to form the government again in Uttar Pradesh. I am ready to join hands. I am ready to form an alliance. Today is the time to talk. Don't cry later after the elections are over," Owaisi said.#WATCH | Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh: Addressing a public rally, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi says, "...I have said this before, and I am saying it again: the Majlis does not want the BJP to form the government again in Uttar Pradesh. I am ready to join hands. I am ready to form an… pic.twitter.com/lI8euYjDrU— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2026 The Hyderabad MP also sought to counter the argument that AIMIM's participation in elections would split opposition votes."You say that Owaisi contesting would harm us. I'm ready to fight with you," he added.'Our Fight Is For Justice'Owaisi reiterated that the AIMIM's politics was not directed against any religion but centred on equality and constitutional rights."Our fight is for our honour and justice. We don't want to sit on a mat. We want equality. If Akhilesh sits in front of that chair, then Owaisi will sit cross-legged in front of that chair and talk about rights and justice," he said.UP Polls Seen As Crucial Political TestThe 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests in the country, with many political observers viewing it as a key indicator ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections.The Samajwadi Party remains the BJP's principal opposition in the state and is expected to lead the challenge against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government.BJP Calls It 'Vote Bank Politics'The BJP was quick to criticise Owaisi's proposal, accusing both opposition parties of pursuing appeasement politics.BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla described the alliance offer as a "collaboration of vote bank politics."Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation: Did BJP Sacrifice A Key Strategist To Contain Political Fallout Ahead Of Uttar Pradesh Polls? "Akhilesh Yadav and Owaisi compete in appeasement. Today they are leaving aside the 'kaun banega bada bhaijaan' competition and saying let's do 'bhaijaan' collaboration. Therefore, Owaisi is sending a friend request to Akhilesh ji," Poonawalla said.He further alleged that Owaisi and Yadav represented "two sides of the same coin."While Owaisi has made his intentions clear, the Samajwadi Party has not yet responded publicly to the AIMIM chief's proposal.